TSW: A Multi-Purpose Marvel

Written by: Gary Dolzall.

Get ready to climb aboard for challenging switching, maintenance-of-way, and train rescue operations with the upcoming Train Sim World Caltrain Electro-Motive MP15DC diesel locomotive for the TSW Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose route!

To handle a variety of special duties, commuter railroad Caltrain rosters a pair of versatile EMD MP15DC locomotives which were built in 1974 and originally served the Southern Pacific, then the Union Pacific. The duo of veteran MP15DC locomotives joined the Caltrain roster in 2003 and wear road numbers 503 and 504.

The Electro-Motive MP15DC is a multi-purpose locomotive configured in the traditional “end cab” design of diesel switchers but equipped with EMD’s famed Blomberg trucks suitable for mainline operations. Constructed by Electro-Motive (EMD) from 1974 through 1980, the MP15DC is a four-axle (B-B), 1,500-horsepower locomotive powered by an EMD 12-cylinder 645E-series engine and employing a D.C. generator. The family lineage of the MP15DC dates all the way back to the early Electro-Motive diesel switchers of the 1930s, but most directly to the EMD SW1500 which was produced from 1966 to 1974. The MP15DC, as compared to the similar SW1500 (which rode on EMD switcher or Flexi-coal trucks), is three feet longer, the added length primarily to accommodate its Blomberg trucks.

At total of 351 MP15DCs were constructed for 39 original buyers ranging from large Class 1 railroads to terminal roads, short lines, and industrial companies. MP15DCs have served in Canada and Mexico as well as the United States, with Southern Railway (88 units) and Missouri Pacific (62 units) operating the largest MP15DC rosters. A sister model, the EMD MP15AC which utilized an A. C. alternator and technology, accounted for another 246 units sold.

Dressed in Caltrain’s colorful red, silver, and black livery, the upcoming TSW MP15DC is a superb re-creation of this distinctive locomotive and features exacting details, interactive and realistic controls, and authentic performance. And you’ll have the opportunity to put the Caltrain MP15DC through its paces in a variety of duties ranging from switching and train make-up duties at the railroad’s San Jose Centralized Equipment Maintenance & Operations Facility (CEMOF) to handling heavy-tonnage ballast work trains on the Peninsula Corridor main line to coming to the rescue of failed commuter trains. Note: The TSW Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose Route Add-On is required, as a separate purchase, in order to utilize this upcoming locomotive.

The Electro-Motive MP15DC has, over decades of service, proven itself a multi-purpose marvel, and you’ll soon have the chance to take the controls of the versatile MP15DC diesel locomotive, which is coming to Train Sim World! – Gary Dolzall

Get ready to climb aboard for challenging switching, maintenance-of-way, and train rescue operations with the upcoming Train Sim World Caltrain Electro-Motive MP15DC diesel locomotive for the TSW Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose route! To handle a variety of special duties, commuter railroad Caltrain rosters a pair of the multi-purpose EMD MP15DC locomotives. Screenshots by Gary Dolzall.

The Electro-Motive MP15DC is a multi-purpose locomotive configured in the traditional “end cab” design of diesel switchers but equipped with EMD’s famed Blomberg trucks suitable for mainline operations. Constructed by Electro-Motive (EMD) from 1974 through 1980, the MP15DC is a four-axle (B-B), 1,500-horsepower locomotive powered by an EMD 12-cylinder 645E-series engine and employing a D.C. generator. Note: Screenshots depict content still in development.

The upcoming TSW MP15DC is a superb re-creation of this distinctive locomotive and features exacting details, interactive and realistic controls (above), and authentic performance. A hallmark of the traditional end-cab switcher design is good visibility for the operating crew, with none better than the engineer’s view out of the rear of the unit (below).

Handling special duties for commuter carrier Caltrain can be a 24/7 job as MP15DC 504, at the San Jose CEMOF, readies for the morning rush (above) and the MP15DC duo of 504 and 503 pull a consist through the car washer as a southbound train arrives in San Jose (below).

Among the regular duties of the Caltrain MP15DCs are work train (M-O-W) assignments. Caltrain MP15DC 503 has coupled to a cut of hoppers loaded with ballast at South Francisco (above), then heads south through San Bruno with the cars, no doubt bound for the site of track work (below). In scenarios and timetabled services, you’ll have the opportunity to put the Caltrain MP15DC through its paces in a variety of challenging duties.

Home for the Caltrain MP15DCs is the San Jose CEMOF, where the pair of MP15DCs mingle with EMD F40PH-2CAT 904 on the TSW Peninsula Corridor: San Francisco – San Jose route. The “JPBX” reporting marks that accompanies the units’ road numbers stand for “Joint Powers Board,” the multi-county agency that oversees Caltrain.

The Electro-Motive MP15DC has, over decades of service, proven itself a multi-purpose marvel, and you’ll soon have the chance to take the controls of the versatile MP15DC diesel locomotive in flashy Caltrain livery, which is coming to Train Simulator!

Screenshots and images displayed in this article may depict content that is still in development. The liscensed brands may not have been approved by their respective owner and some artwork may still be pending approval. Screenshots taken on Windows PC.